Puppy Smuggler or me being overly cautious
Discussion
Hello all.
I have a dilemma I’m current juggling with. I have been wanting a puppy for years and do mean years. It took a while to talk the mrs rounds and in 2016 she finally warmed to it under a few set rules about size mainly. She’s never had a dog and the last thing I want is her being petrified or overwhelmed.
Anyhoo, we nearly had a lab last year when a money issue arose and I benched it until now. So I’ve been searching all the usual places like gumtree etc and keep missing pups, BUT last night one add I left a message with yesterday called me back. The gent had a thick irish accent, was not available today as he was attending a wedding and was intending on going all out (1st alarm) but volunteered to bring dogs to me (2nd Alarm) if not I could go to him near Glasgow. Didn’t seem to know exact area he was from (3rd).
We left it that I’d be back I touch Friday to let him know but I immediately put myself off as I didn’t like the sound of all this.
Have I done the right thing? his add's been removed from gumtree now as well as i thought about reporting.
I have a dilemma I’m current juggling with. I have been wanting a puppy for years and do mean years. It took a while to talk the mrs rounds and in 2016 she finally warmed to it under a few set rules about size mainly. She’s never had a dog and the last thing I want is her being petrified or overwhelmed.
Anyhoo, we nearly had a lab last year when a money issue arose and I benched it until now. So I’ve been searching all the usual places like gumtree etc and keep missing pups, BUT last night one add I left a message with yesterday called me back. The gent had a thick irish accent, was not available today as he was attending a wedding and was intending on going all out (1st alarm) but volunteered to bring dogs to me (2nd Alarm) if not I could go to him near Glasgow. Didn’t seem to know exact area he was from (3rd).
We left it that I’d be back I touch Friday to let him know but I immediately put myself off as I didn’t like the sound of all this.
Have I done the right thing? his add's been removed from gumtree now as well as i thought about reporting.
pidsy said:
The usual places to look are absolutely NOT gumtree.
U are going about this wrong - get yourself to a rehoming centre or decent breeder.
A good pup isn't cheap.
A cheap pup isn't good.
I would second this.U are going about this wrong - get yourself to a rehoming centre or decent breeder.
A good pup isn't cheap.
A cheap pup isn't good.
If you are set on a pup many rescue centres have them.
If not, an older dog would appreciate a new home.
Good luck
garythesign said:
pidsy said:
The usual places to look are absolutely NOT gumtree.
U are going about this wrong - get yourself to a rehoming centre or decent breeder.
A good pup isn't cheap.
A cheap pup isn't good.
I would second this.U are going about this wrong - get yourself to a rehoming centre or decent breeder.
A good pup isn't cheap.
A cheap pup isn't good.
If you are set on a pup many rescue centres have them.
If not, an older dog would appreciate a new home.
Good luck
Any other sites recommended?
We bought our pug off pets4homes. It was Kennel Club registered and cost the usual amount they do. We met the breeder, saw all the other pups, met the parents of the pup and everything seemed great.
After that it all seemed a bit dodgy. Kennel club number was in the name of someone else. Deposit was paid to someone else’s bank. Said she’d send photos, never did. When we went to collect him, he was the last one there.
He got demodectic mange, which is inherited from the parents (mother I think, can’t remember). My understanding is the breeder would have know about this.
If we were to ever buy another puppy, it would be from a breeder that I knew as best I could was the real deal. Price is to some extent irrelevant for the right dog.
If you’re not sure, don’t buy the dog.
After that it all seemed a bit dodgy. Kennel club number was in the name of someone else. Deposit was paid to someone else’s bank. Said she’d send photos, never did. When we went to collect him, he was the last one there.
He got demodectic mange, which is inherited from the parents (mother I think, can’t remember). My understanding is the breeder would have know about this.
If we were to ever buy another puppy, it would be from a breeder that I knew as best I could was the real deal. Price is to some extent irrelevant for the right dog.
If you’re not sure, don’t buy the dog.
If it's your first dog or puppy, I would suggest getting from a local established breeder or dog rescue only.
Most dog rescues have puppy waiting lists and you may need to wait a bit and be prepared to be flexible on the breed.
If you are prepared to consider a dog over 6 months old, most rescues are bursting at the seams!
If the breeder or rescue are any good, they will support you with any issues that may arise.
If you have local Facebook community groups, could be worth asking for recommendations on there.
Avoid Gumtree or similar, man in pub, meeting in a lay-by or one of those cute dogs that have been rescued from Outer mongolia.
Most dog rescues have puppy waiting lists and you may need to wait a bit and be prepared to be flexible on the breed.
If you are prepared to consider a dog over 6 months old, most rescues are bursting at the seams!
If the breeder or rescue are any good, they will support you with any issues that may arise.
If you have local Facebook community groups, could be worth asking for recommendations on there.
Avoid Gumtree or similar, man in pub, meeting in a lay-by or one of those cute dogs that have been rescued from Outer mongolia.
I didn't mean to come across as harsh but the state of dog sales in this country really pisses me off.
Rescue centres are turning dogs away due to the huge demand for ridiculous inbred handbag dogs and blue dogs too (people don't realise that the blue puppy that they've just paid over the odds for is blue because of a genetic mutation. One that's been grabbed by many unscrupulous breeders just to charge extra.
Where in the uk are u? People on here can point you in the right direction.
Rescue centres are turning dogs away due to the huge demand for ridiculous inbred handbag dogs and blue dogs too (people don't realise that the blue puppy that they've just paid over the odds for is blue because of a genetic mutation. One that's been grabbed by many unscrupulous breeders just to charge extra.
Where in the uk are u? People on here can point you in the right direction.
pidsy said:
Rescue centres are turning dogs away due to the huge demand for ridiculous inbred handbag dogs and blue dogs too (people don't realise that the blue puppy that they've just paid over the odds for is blue because of a genetic mutation. One that's been grabbed by many unscrupulous breeders just to charge extra.
I heard someone mention they were selling a "rare" french bulldog pup for £30k the other day.I'm not sure what's more ridiculous, the asking price or the person who pays it.
Never ever agree to having a pup delivered. Absolutely 99% going to be a puppy farm/smuggler. Unfortunately the Irish accent only accentuates my concerns as pups are often brought over from Ireland where puppy breeding laws are even more lax than here. You were/are right to be wary.
I would ask a vets if they know a breeder they trust. Eg I have a friend who is a vet nurse and breeds excellent line of labs and she is very thorough about who has her pups and is always at the end of a phone to offer help if it is needed to her pups new owners.
FB often has breed specific groups that you could join.
Rescue rehomed is a way to go. Breed specific rescues know their breeds and know where they will be suitable for rehoming and they often (sadly) have young dogs go through their hands.
If you aren't fussed about the breed rescues do get pups (one local to my parents are currently hand rearing a litter of unknown breed that someone found dumped by a bin just a day old)
We got Bryn via pets4homes but I knew what I was doing, what to look out for etc etc. With Mabel we went through a breed specific rescue.
I hope this and the other replies help you when finding your new four legged friend.
I would ask a vets if they know a breeder they trust. Eg I have a friend who is a vet nurse and breeds excellent line of labs and she is very thorough about who has her pups and is always at the end of a phone to offer help if it is needed to her pups new owners.
FB often has breed specific groups that you could join.
Rescue rehomed is a way to go. Breed specific rescues know their breeds and know where they will be suitable for rehoming and they often (sadly) have young dogs go through their hands.
If you aren't fussed about the breed rescues do get pups (one local to my parents are currently hand rearing a litter of unknown breed that someone found dumped by a bin just a day old)
We got Bryn via pets4homes but I knew what I was doing, what to look out for etc etc. With Mabel we went through a breed specific rescue.
I hope this and the other replies help you when finding your new four legged friend.
Edited by bexVN on Wednesday 27th September 22:39
mcg_ said:
We bought our pug off pets4homes. It was Kennel Club registered and cost the usual amount they do. We met the breeder, saw all the other pups, met the parents of the pup and everything seemed great.
After that it all seemed a bit dodgy. Kennel club number was in the name of someone else. Deposit was paid to someone else’s bank. Said she’d send photos, never did. When we went to collect him, he was the last one there.
He got demodectic mange, which is inherited from the parents (mother I think, can’t remember). My understanding is the breeder would have know about this.
If we were to ever buy another puppy, it would be from a breeder that I knew as best I could was the real deal. Price is to some extent irrelevant for the right dog.
If you’re not sure, don’t buy the dog.
Not strictly true re demodetic mange. Yes they get it off the Mum but nearly all dogs have a few of these mites yet most will never show signs at all. The mite increases in numbers and starts giving signs if the pup young dog becomes immune compromised for some reason. However if you got the pup with dodgy skin from the off then yes that is a big fail on the part of the breeder. After that it all seemed a bit dodgy. Kennel club number was in the name of someone else. Deposit was paid to someone else’s bank. Said she’d send photos, never did. When we went to collect him, he was the last one there.
He got demodectic mange, which is inherited from the parents (mother I think, can’t remember). My understanding is the breeder would have know about this.
If we were to ever buy another puppy, it would be from a breeder that I knew as best I could was the real deal. Price is to some extent irrelevant for the right dog.
If you’re not sure, don’t buy the dog.
Thanks all.
BexVN I have registered and passed a home check previously with a Whippet/Sight hound rescue but they never ever get back to my emails etc. I think you previously commented when I was excited about passing the home check saying you have whippets as well, that was over a year ago.
BexVN I have registered and passed a home check previously with a Whippet/Sight hound rescue but they never ever get back to my emails etc. I think you previously commented when I was excited about passing the home check saying you have whippets as well, that was over a year ago.
Have you tried Just Whippet Rescue?
https://www.facebook.com/JustWhippetsRescue/
If you have and have had no reply I can try and message them as that is who we got Mabel from. They are volunteers and can get busy but you should have had some sort of feedback.
https://www.facebook.com/JustWhippetsRescue/
If you have and have had no reply I can try and message them as that is who we got Mabel from. They are volunteers and can get busy but you should have had some sort of feedback.
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 28th September 12:56
Well, we didn't call the suspected smuggler back but we have found and adopted a new wee puppy. He's a Jack Russell x Chihuahua and is 10 weeks old, we collected him on Thursday night. We've called him Alfie and i think he may be 1/4 parrot as he likes to sleep on my shoulder.
Unfortunately I'm working just now so unable to upload pics, will get one attached later.
Unfortunately I'm working just now so unable to upload pics, will get one attached later.
pidsy said:
nice one!
where from in the end?
Nice we family about 12 miles from us, met both pups parents, their other dog (Pug), two HUGE geese and two more of his litter. They own and operate a wee farm and all seemed really nice so was happy to take him away. where from in the end?
First vets appointment booked for tomorrow as well, get his vaccines and chips etc all done/booked in and hopefully have him out walkies by November.
Our cat however is now in a mood because we have brought something the size of his head home who is hell bent on chasing him through the house
Loving it! Try https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/sale/
Normally vetted breeders, or if you are after a pedigree then try the kennel club
Normally vetted breeders, or if you are after a pedigree then try the kennel club
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